World Cup 2026: Brazil 1-1 Morocco - Vinicius Junior scores beauty but Carlo Ancelotti's side held in New York

Five-time World Cup champions Brazil were forced to rally against industrious Morocco in their Group C opener; Vinicius Junior scored a beauty after Ismael Saibari had broken the deadlock by lobbing Alisson

Vinicius Junior scored a stunner as Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw with enterprising Morocco in their World Cup Group C opener.

In the slightly more forgiving temperatures of New York, Morocco got off to a blistering start when Brahim Diaz picked up a loose ball in midfield to thread a perfect pass between two of the best centre-backs in world football - Gabriel and Marquinhos - towards Ismael Saibari.

The midfielder collected, settled his nerve, and stood up Alisson before dinking the ball over him. It was a real show of composure and class from World Cup 2022's surprise package - still the most successful African nation in the history of the tournament.

Brazil, so often dubbed a team of individuals, needed one of their most talented to dig them out of a hole against a side who appeared more complete overall. Morocco were full of beans in the first period and then showed their steel by digging in the second. They have every chance of going far if such balance can be maintained.

Brazil and Morocco are the only top-10 teams to meet in the first round of the expanded 48-nation tournament, and, on the evidence here, there will not be much to separate them when all is said and done.

Scotland, meanwhile, then took advantage of the points dropped by edging Haiti 1-0 in the second Group C game.

Ancelotti 'worried' and expected better

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti to FIFA:

"I think we didn't start very well, I'm a little worried. We lost a lot of duels and possession, but we improved in the second half of a difficult match, because Morocco is a good team.

"In the first half, we had difficulty getting out of the pressure, we could have had more control.

"[Was I] Satisfied? Not really. I expected a better start. But things can happen. Now I'm going to focus on the next game."